Palm Island Resort is a beautiful place I've visited many times since childhood, and returning this summer with my own children brought back wonderful memories. Although we weren't overnight guests on this trip (we rented a beach house on the non-resort side of the island), we were paying customers--dining at Rum Bay Restaurant, visiting Coconuts and the gift shop, and enjoying the island. Unfortunately, the general manager, Rob Brown, confronted our group with unexpected and shocking hostility when we inadvertently drove our golf cart beyond the restaurant area. Instead of calmly explaining that the road ahead was restricted to resort guests, he engaged in an argument, used profanity in front of four young children, made an obscene hand gesture, threatened to call the police, and then waited in the parking lot in his vehicle to watch us leave. The children were frightened, and the entire group was shaken by the interaction. I made multiple attempts to communicate my formal complaint privately and respectfully through the proper channels before posting publicly, but I received no acknowledgement . That silence has been just as disappointing as the incident itself. I've always held this resort in high regard, which makes this experience especially painful. I hope leadership begins to take guest concerns more seriously. Families deserve better. read more

Palm Island Resort - Resorts Near Me - Cape Haze, Florida

If you plan to stay on Palm Island you need to be aware that Palm Island Resort doesn't have any public docks. If you want to do a Fishing Charter, Dolphin Tour or Sunset Cruise with a Captain of your choice, there isn't any place to get picked up other than the Rum Bay Restaurant dock. If your tour operator picks you up there the Rum Bay Water Taxi operator gets pissy and tells them it's a private dock and they aren't allowed to pick passengers up there even if the party is staying in the resort. So, after taking one of the most expensive and shortest ferry rides in the world to get on the islands , which can take over an hour, they expect you take the ferry back to the mainland to take a boat tour instead of getting picked up on the island. You may want to consider staying in one of the Islander Properties rentals - https://islanderproperties.com/. Most of their properties have access to a dock where the tour operator of your choice can pick you up and drop you off instead of requiring you to take the ferry back to the mainland. Tour operators may charge a small fee for this service but it's much less than the ferry's fees and way more convenient. Update: Well Rob, you need to look up the definition of "Public". According to Chris, the head of your transportation department, the dock at Rum Bay is private and if I drop off passengers there to eat at the restaurant I will be arrested for trespassing. I realize that without a court order that won't happen. Fortunately, there are plenty of other restaurants with better food and way more menu options in the area that are happy to see me pull up to their docks with a group of hungry passengers. It would be interesting to hear Chris's explanation to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol as to why Rum Bay Restaurant's dock is public to everyone else but suddenly private when I show up with restaurant customers. You should check out Cabbage Key Restaurant when you get a chance. They serve over 1,000 lunches a day in season and welcome dozens of charter boats that bring passengers to their docks every day without requiring anything of them. From my observations, it appears as though over half of their patrons arrive by charter boat. I'm taking a group there tomorrow if you would like some photos of all the charter boats dropping off passengers. read more

So we were in need of a getaway. We didn't want to drive very far nor spend a lot of money but we needed to disconnect. Palm Island checked all of the boxes !! Note you have to take the ferry over. When you drive up to it there is a line to the right that you just park and wait. It goes straight across so the wait is not bad. When you leave remember that there are one way streets so go to the right when you leave the ferry on the mainland side. I got yelled at as I forgot and headed the wrong way. Deb was able to grab a deal on a really nice place facing the gulf for a couple of nights. It was an amazing room. The pictures don't do it justice but I tried! It had a full kitchen which we used for breakfast, a nice dining and living area with plenty of sunshine and a great sized bedroom with a big king sized bed. All well kept and clean. WIFI was really good. Connected up my Firestick with no issues. Password is in the book and on the router. Screened in patio facing the gulf was so relaxing to just sit and listen to the ocean. The breeze kept it pretty cool. Great for morning coffee before starting the days activities and some adult beverages in the evenings. The resort has miles of beaches. The one straight back from our place was not that great but it is a short ride or a little walk to a nicer one. Resort has all the amenities from golf cart rentals, store with supplies and ice, BBQ gas grills (lots of them), lots of doc space of you have a boat. Their kayak launch was broken so they were not doing those but we had our own so we just had to drop it in at Pier B. First time launching from a pier was an experience but worth it! A few paddles and we were in the mangrove tunnels into the hidden lake. There is a restaurant on property. I have a separate review for it but bottom-line is; you are on an island so manage your expectations. It is not 5 stars nor fine dining. It is ok. Great drinks! Your only other options are to cook your own (grill out!) or go off the island via the ferry. There is another ferry that just goes back and forth to Leverocks too. Overall an incredible place to stay and chill. Turn off the phones and just enjoy! This is about as good as it can get and a great representation of the Florida life. Already planning a return trip in June! read more

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I went to Palm Island Resort. It was very nice, but not anything spectacular. The best part was taking a 10 minute ferry ride on the water. The only thing there is are beaches and resort, and a gift shop, but not really a get away as I had hoped. If you are looking to just go to a different area for a beach experience, I would suggest, but other than that I would not plan for anything more. People were nice, but I don't think I will return. read more

The Palm Island Resort offered exceptional personalized service. During our 3 week visit to the resort it excelled in the following customer service points: Hospitality from all staff members, with a genuine concern for guest enjoyment which included all groundskeepers. Front office staff under the leadership of Ed, was efficient and ready to assist at a moments notice. Medical situations which we experienced, were cared for by a Dr. From Union Island very efficiently. Personalized excursions off the property and on the water were not an issue and completed efficiently The management offered several personalized adult excursions as an example daily picnics on the island in separate and distinct secluded areas Private chef prepared dinners in several areas around the beach The rooms were comfortable, our room had a private beach with the whitest sand. We have NEVER experienced ocean water that was so clear, the visibility when diving or snorkeling was exceptional Recreationally the resort offered a wide selection of beach cruiser bikes, which everyone seemed to enjoy, The water sport equipment area offered Hobie Cat Sailboats, snorkel equipment, standing paddle boards etc The service staff in the dining room were excellent each employee knew our names and happily took care of any special requests. The staff can party appropriately with the guests and many evening after the meals were served the steel drum band with both the staff and guests enjoyed dancing together including the resorts Chef! Our only issue and it's not a huge concern is the food doesn't have a modern culinary approach it's dated with it's flavors and plate presentations. The island has a garden additional fresh herbs and aromatics would enhance flavors in preparation. Of each meal. Include infused olive oils to enhance the flavors of food just prior to service. Serve island curries etc not in the small bowls, look at contemporary food magazines to better understand todays food and customers expectations. Johnny the bar tender is a pro.! Why are the cocktails not receiving that final touch, of a garnish? Serve a lemon twist, fresh lime wheels hydrated fruit when appropriate. The beverages are flavorful but the purpose of a cocktail garnish is to add additional flavor to the drink. It appears the F&B department is stuck somewhere in the middle 70's. A great resort that works as a community . All employees are engaged in guest satisfaction. The only visible challenge is to upgrade the culinary team to newer and more current approaches to food service. read more

everyone!! I am very fortunate to live on Don Pedro Island which is one of the three connected Island for the ferry landing. So beautiful, serene, quiet and awesome beach and neighbors. Sunsets every night are spectacular ! A lot of the Island owners go back north for the summer. I go to Highlands NC, and New York in July - a nice break from the humidity and heat. Other than that I love living in Paradise on ISLAND TIME!! Palm Island Resort, is a must visit for your family and friends vacations. read more

Turn on, tune in & drop out... at this place. Take vaca time from work. Drive your car on the car ferry. Park in lot. Get your golf cart. Check in to your condo. Don't forget to sunscreen. Take a shot. Take another shot. Go to the beach and find shark teeth. Swim. Get more drunk. Race golf carts. Sleep (optional). ***REPEAT*** read more

This place is wonderful. My family and I have been coming here every year for about the past 7 years. We go for the week of Christmas, so I'm not sure what it's like any other time of year. My favorite thing about the island is that you aren't allowed to drive cars on the island, only golf carts. There isn't too much to do on the island, which is the beauty of it. We generally spend our time playing board games, going on bike rides, playing tennis, drinking cocktails, and enjoying the beach. Around Christmas there's also a golf cart parade, which we always love decking out our golf cart for and driving around the island. I'll admit that after about 4 days we get a little cabin fever and need to leave the island (not too much is near the island except a few restaurants and a movie theater), so it would be nice if there was a BIT more on the island to keep us entertained. There is one restaurant and one tiny shop, but the food isn't the best. Anyway, if you're looking for a relaxing peaceful vacation, this is the one. read more

Palm Island Resort - Our decorated golf cart one year - Resorts Near Me - Cape Haze, Florida

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I've been coming to palm island and resort for 20+ years. I love the island resort over the barge. They are clean, fairly new and comfortable. This was my first mainland palm island resort, stay. The room was OK with a cool Marina view. What killed it was the terrible foam beat up mattress. We actually left our 2 day stay at 5:00am the first night. The floor or car would have been better!!!! read more

We've stayed here many times, it's a wonderful place to relax. Beauty all around, but investigate the condition of your unit upon making a reservation. Many are badly in need of repairs and updating (carpet, beds, paint etc.) I would highly recommend the resort, but bring your food and beverage. Not much available on the island and only one restaurant, inside the complex. Enjoy read more

Quiet. I suppose that is what one would expect mid week this time of year; between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is my first "quiet" vacation. Days filled with long morning runs on the beach, followed by short bike rides around the minimal streets here on the island. A dip in the hot tub and endless hours to read books, sip on wine and munch on cheese and crackers. There are very few people that I pass along my morning run; and even fewer on the streets as I pedal the rented beach cruiser..... unless you count the small crews of construction guys working on two enormous beach front properties a quarter mile away from the resort. I've passed more "for sale" signs than people; yet sampled a plethora of fish for dinner between Rum Bay and Leverocks. Nothing glamorous; most people would find themselves bored after a few days. I however, have wrapped my arms around these few precious days that I can waste my thoughts on the rolling waves, spend my time counting the steps until I dip my sore toes in the refreshing coolness of gulf water and feel the sun kissing skin without feeling scorched. This... is nice. read more

We came here for a friends wedding. It is the equivalent of a rustic Fischer Island. We shared a beautiful house villa with 4people that included a stocked usable kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a washer and dryer. We faced the ocean and had beach access from our villa. We got around the island with a gulf cart that we rented. It was fabulous. The one tip I recommend is BYOF. There are no late restaurant or convenience stores open after 7pm. Therefore, if you get hungry you will need to wait till morning. Otherwise, the stay was very relaxing and would recommend for a beach destination wedding or for disconnecting and relaxing :) read more

Palm Island Resort - Villas - Resorts Near Me - Cape Haze, Florida

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My husband and I absolutely loved this place. We went in the off season with the family so it was nice and quiet and we had all the ammenities to ourselves. What we enjoyed the most: Great service. Very friendly staff. Nice big units. Close by pools whereever you are. Great fishing spots EVERYWHERE. You'll need a golf cart to get around, I don't recommend skimping on that. :) read more

HELLOOO PEACEFUL WEEKEND! Absolutely lovely! You immediately get the feeling of escaping when you have to drive on the ferry to get to the island. Check in staff was welcoming and drove us to get our weekend transportation.. a golf cart :) The Gulf of Mexico was the back yard to our cozy little Key's style villa. Fully stocked kitchen.. all you would need are you clothes and food and you could easily stay comfortably long term. Unfortunately the weather wasn't so great so we weren't able to kayak as planned so we walked the beach, napped to the sound of the waves, and later as the sun went down wen't to Stump Pass for some night fishing where we caught dinner to take home. Saturday there was also a Art festival which was fun to check out, the locals were very kind. Kayaks, paddle boards and fishing rods are all for rent. We brought our own rods and went to a bait shop for live shrimp off the island on our Publix run. Two great restaurants, one for each night. Rum Bay right on the island and the other just a water taxi across the bay to. **TIP: With just two dining options (other just a short drive away) I would recommend stopping at Publix on your way in.. don't forget the wine and beer! Kitchen has all of your utensils.. you just need the food** Wonderful Escape.. we'll remember our fancy clothes to wedding crash next time ;) read more

The view/beach is 5-star. However, bed is lumpy and creaks, radio doesn't work, TV's are archaic, fan on screened in porch does not work, so overall, a 3.5 star rating is generous, in our experience. read more

Palm Island Resort - Resorts Near Me - Cape Haze, Florida

Been coming here for 20 years. It is an AMAZING place to stay. Unfortunately, the customer service has went completely down hill. Everywhere you go the workers are so unfriendly, unreasoning, and rude. GOOD luck if you have a problem and have to deal with them. The problems were out of our control (and theirs) but it didn't stop them from blaming us and having attitudes. read more

We absolutely loved Palm Island. The arrival was a bit tricky because the ferry terminal is hidden inside. We went when it was already dark. This is the perfect place to go and do nothing but enjoy company, the beautiful beach and nature. Make sure you bring all your needs (food, body care, etc.) There is only a small store on the island that offers very basic needs. We forgot the salt and were able to purchase some at the little restaurant on the island. This is a place for all those looking to RELAX! read more

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We are staying in a magnificent beach villa on Palm Island. I, honestly, can't say enough about our beautiful accommodations and the service on the island. The restaurants have delicious food, the beaches are gorgeous and the hospitality is first class! We will definitely be coming back and would highly recommend this vacation. read more

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We just spent a weekend vacation, always love the beach. However, this time the resort allowed the owners of the condo we were in to access the unit without our knowledge. We only noticed when a new bedset was sitting in the closet. This felt like a complete violation of our privacy. Their reasoning was, the owners didnt know anyone was in the unit until the walked in. This makes no sense since there were sandy shoes sitting by the door. Did not appreciate the resorts casual oh well view of this situation. read more

Less said the better, best beach in the state, maybe the union

My family and I have been coming every summer for the last 10 years. It's a week in summer that I always look forward to. It's a wonderful place to unplug, unwind and relax. There is no traffic only golf carts. You do need to come prepared since there is only 1 restaurant and 1 shop on the island. There are kayaks and paddle boards available to go around the island. We spend our days on the beach and/or pool. Nights are spent watching beautiful sunsets and family time with board games and other fun stuff. This is totally a relaxing place, not much activity other than spotting manatees and other wildlife. Staff are great and very helpful. Once you are on the ferry, your worries start to fade and you instantly start vacation mode! Can't wait for next year! read more

First the bad: Our unit was pretty run down. Lots of paint coming off, ceiling chipping and very cheap worn out furniture (condo 3311). I'm sure others have been taken better care of inside. There was no place to hang towels or bathing suits in the bathroom. The shower doors had no handles, they were broken off, which made getting out of the shower difficult. Also, the people upstairs may have had elephants in their room. You could actually feel the condo move when they walked around and could hear them every time they moved, flushed a toilet or took a shower! The not so great: The little store with provisions is, shall we say, sparse. Make sure you bring everything with you, all your food, drinks, etc. unless you can survive in Mac and cheese or bisquik instant pancakes! The good: No cars! Nobody bugs you we were afraid there would be a litany of "Condo Commandos" as we call them in Florida, that fancy themselves as the enforcers of rule. There were none! Everyone that works there is lovely and super helpful. The beach was almost vacant, but we were here off season. We would come back, but would ask for a better condo. The restaurant, Rum Bay, was surprisingly good. I wasn't encouraged after seeing the little store and our room, but it proved our fears unfounded. The prices are average and the quality very good. We would recommend it! Lunch and dinner, they don't serve breakfast. read more

The villa we rented (also rented the same villa last year) should never have been rented to anyone. There were a couple of small problems not worth mentioning last year. This time it was over the top. The racks in the dishwasher were rusted out. Rusted pieces were coming off in my hand. There was an exposed lightbulb above the bathtub (no lense cover). This was an ELECTROCUTION hazard. The oven racks were covered with 'crud'. The 'cookie' sheets in the drawers under the oven were covered in grease. There was standing, stagnant water in the dishwasher.....very unsanitary, the carpet was dirty, there were missing knobs on the nightstand drawers and dresser (they were also missing last year), weather stripping at the front door was coming off. The place needed to be repainted, the coffee pot didn't work properly, there were no coffee filters provided...........and it goes on. A rating LESS than '1' would be appropriate read more

Upon arrival there is not a ton of accommodating from the resort, for example you buy groceries before coming on island but if your unit isn't ready then you have to bring a cooler for your food. They could accommodate your groceries or provide coolers for rent in my opinion. Then our unit air conditioning was broke and the maintenance guy blamed us cause he said he was supposed to be off work in a few minutes. When the real AC guy came he said it was definitely broken already. The fridge didn't cool our groceries and the coffee maker didn't work and one girl found a large black hair under her pillow which we think they didn't actually change the sheets between guests - gross!! Management did quickly address and fix some of our issues and accommodate part of our bill for our issues. So that was good. The beach and island was nice and fun. Recommend checking it out but definitely ask questions before you come. read more

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Great venue nice staff couldn't complain. nice environment. I went to a wedding here Nd I just thought it all was amazing the venue the people the fun we all had loved it gladly recommended read more

This place is beautiful and so peaceful. The downsides were that our condo was a little run down as another yelper said (3311). The furniture was worn out and the sofa bed was not usable. We set it up and were to scared to sleep on it because it seemed unstable. We called the front desk but all they offered was an air mattress for $15/night which was disappointing because we could've just bought one for that price. Because of the sofa bed issue-half our party slept on the floor. The plus side was that there were plenty of extra blankets and pillows to make the floor soft enough. Another problem we had was that we could not find a corkscrew! It was disappointing because the kitchen inventory said there was one, but we checked every drawer and cabinet multiple times without finding one. Furthermore there's only one restaurant on the island and not much entertainment. The pool closes "at dusk." I'm assuming the people who own units want to keep the area quiet at night time so it's understandable. Now on to the good things - they pretty much provide you with a stocked kitchen so you don't need anything except for food, drinks, coffee, and filters. Make sure you speak with the front desk before arriving because they'll tell you everything you need and are very friendly. The view from our condo was beautiful and the pool is heated so don't worry if the weather isn't so great. The beach is also amazing and very peaceful. You can walk for miles and collect lots of seashells. The people on the resort are very friendly as well! Over all we enjoyed our stay which made up for all the negative things about the resort. Yay! read more

Amazing island getaway! We have been vacationing at Palm Island Resort in the Beach Villas for 16 years and we look forward to returning the day we leave. If you like to explore beautiful private beaches with tons of shells, great GREAT fishing, dolphin, sea turtles, birds and perfect sunsets then you have found the hidden gem of south west FL. My kids love getting ice cream and frozen treats at the little island store and taking golf cart rides around the island. We absolutely love this place! read more

Took the ferry over today to have lunch at Rum Bay on Palm Island. While the boat trip was somewhat entertaining and the food was average at best, the guest service personnell from Palm Island Resort couldn't be ruder! We were on vacation here from Colorado and I was hoping to take a walk with my children after lunch and go see the ocean (whole point of taking a paid ferry and coming over to an island) but literally as we stepped off the restaurant's property we were confronted by someone from Palm Island Resort and were told we were not allowed to even walk down the path way to see the beach or ocean if we were not staying on the resort. We certainly didn't have beach chairs, towels or beach umbrellas but they still insisted that we were not welcome to step foot on the resort property. My extended family that lives in FL have been coming out to Palm Island for lunch for years and have never been treated so rudely. Will never come to Rum Bay again nor would I ever consider staying at your resort after being treated so rudely. Are you that much of a snob that you can't even let a mother and her kids walk down the boardwalk to see the water on your beach. Sad. read more